The AMX-VCI (
French: Véhicule de Combat d'Infanterie) is one of the many variants of the French
AMX-13 light tank. It was the front line
APC of the
French Army until replaced by the
AMX-10P. It is still used by some countries, for example Mexico, where it goes under the name of DNC-1 and is armed with a 20mm cannon.
History
Beginning in 1957, some 3,000 vehicles were produced. It was initially produced as the AMX-13 VTT (véhicule de transport de troupe), which carried ten infantrymen and was armed with either an
AA-52 7.62 mm machine gun or a 12.7 mm
M2 Browning machine gun in an open mounting.[2] The final versions had a turret equipped with a 20mm light
autocannon, producing a vehicle that can be seen as an early example of the
infantry fighting vehicle.
Variants
The AMX-13 VCI itself was the basis for a number of variants:
AMX-VTP: Original APC variant armed with an open-mount light machine-gun
AMX-VTT (AMX-VCI): APC fitted with a turret mounted light machine-gun
AMX-13 VCPC:
Argentinian Army version of the AMX-13 VCI
AMX-13 mod.56 VCI:
Belgian Army version with a .30 Browning mounted in a CALF38 turret
AMX-13 mod.56 [81 mm mortar carrier]: Belgian Army version
AMX-13 mod.56 [command post]: Belgian Army version
AMX-13 mod.56 [ENTAC atgm]: Belgian Army version with a rear-mounted
ENTAC missile launcher
AMX-13 mod.56 [cargo]: Belgian Army version
AMX-VTT TOW:
Dutch Army version with a
TOW launcher on a cupola
AMX-GWT (GeWonden Transport): Dutch army version of the VCTB
AMX-VCI Retrofit:
Indonesian Army modernization with the hull lengthened 20 cm to accommodate
Navistar 400hp engine, redesigned engine deck, frontal armor, and exhaust, also modification to transmission and suspension.[3]
DNC-1:
Mexican Army local designation, slightly modernized version with a diesel engine and a 20 mm. cannon, upgraded by
SEDENA
Combat history
This section needs expansion. You can help by
adding to it. (June 2018)
Lebanon
A total of 60 AMX-VCIs were delivered to the
Lebanese Army in 1971-72,[4] with additional 30 vehicles being reportedly delivered in May 1983.[5][6] A number of VCIs were seized by the
Amal Movement militia and the pro-Israeli
South Lebanon Army (SLA) militia in February 1984 after the defeat of the Lebanese government forces by
Shia Muslim and
Druze militias during the
Mountain War. The captured vehicles were quickly pressed into service by the SLA, who used them during the
South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) until the collapse of the militia in the wake of the Israeli withdrawal of April 2000; those used by Amal were returned to the Lebanese Army earlier in October 1990. VCIs up-armed with US
M40 106mm recoilless rifles were also employed by Lebanese Army
GeneralMichel Aoun's loyalist troops during the
Elimination War waged against his Christian rivals of the
Lebanese Forces (LF) militia at
East Beirut in February 1990, who in turn also managed to capture some VCIs from Army barracks, which were returned in 1991-94.[7][8][9]
Belgium:
Belgian Army, successor to the
M75 armored personnel carrier. AMX-13 mod.56 VTT (305 vehicles), AMX-13 mod.56 PC (72 vehicles), AMX-13 mod.56 Cargo (58 vehicles), AMX-13 mod.56 Mor (90 vehicles), AMX-13 mod.56 MILAN (86 vehicles) and AMX-13 mod.56 ENTAC (30 vehicles). Replaced by the
M113A1-B and the
AIFV-B.[10]
Netherlands:
Dutch Army, 345 AMX-PRI (infantry fighting vehicle), 162 PRCO (command), 46 PRVR (cargo) et 46 PRGWT (ambulance). 67 PRI modified to mortar carriers (PRMR) et 26 to tank destroyers (PRAT), with
TOW missiles[13]
Kassis, Samer (2003). 30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon. Beirut: Elite Group.
ISBN9953-0-0705-5.
Kassis, Samer (2012). Véhicules Militaires au Liban 1975–1981 [Military Vehicles in Lebanon 1975-1981] (in French). Chyah: Trebia Publishing.
ISBN978-9953-0-2372-4.
Robinson, M.P.; Lau, Peter; Gibeau, Guy (2018). Images of War: The AMX 13 Light Tank, A Complete History – rare photographs from wartime archives. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military.
ISBN978-1-5267-0167-1.
Sex, Zachary; Abi-Chahine, Bassel (2021). Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, From 1975 to 1991 and Beyond. Modern Conflicts Profile Guide. Vol. II. AK Interactive.
EAN8435568306073.